End Discrimination from Uber and Lyft Drivers!

Gender and race shouldn't affect how these drivers get you from Point A to Point B!

Goal:25,000•Progress:406

Sponsored by:The Breast Cancer Site

A recently-concluded study revealed that drivers for the popular ridesharing applications Uber and Lyft discriminate against women and people of color.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford, and the University of Washington, took place over the span of two years and included nearly 1,500 total rides in Seattle and Boston. To gather data, researchers marked down four distinct times of the Uber and Lyft processes: 1) when the ride was requested, 2) when the ride was accepted by the driver, 3) when they were picked up, and 4) when they arrived at their destination.

The results were alarming.

In Seattle, when compared to the results for white people, it took up to 28% longer for requests by riders of color to be accepted by both Uber and Lyft drivers. More than that, riders with "black-sounding names" in Boston experienced a cancellation rate twice as high as those with "white-sounding names," specifically when the passenger was male and requesting a ride in a "low-density area".

Generally, the study found women were often driven further than men, meaning that Uber and Lyft drivers, upon accepting the fare and picking up a woman, are less apt to take the shortest possible route to the destination. Considering this alongside reports from female researchers that drivers were extra talkative with them, the researchers suggest that female riders are exposed to profiteering and flirting.

While both Uber and Lyft have made significant progress in providing affordable transportation options for all  including several areas where taxis refuse to go  discrimination of any kind is unacceptable. These companies waved goodbye long ago to their startup status and must revise their process as such, starting with the process in which drivers apply and are accepted.

As it is, Uber and Lyft drivers share the following requirements: they must be older than 21, have proper driving experience; they must have an in-state drivers license; they must have an in-state vehicle with proper insurance; they must be able to pass a background check.

Progress isn't guaranteed by this current process, not when it comes to discrimination. What Uber and Lyft must strive for is education. Sign this petition and request that, in addition to the current driver application process, the CEOs of Uber and Lyft require of its drivers the completion of a company generated and led course on proper driver conduct.

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I acknowledge that your companies have made significant strides in providing affordable transportation options to all people, regardless of age, race, or gender, often picking up and dropping off passengers in areas taxis have refused to go for years.

Yet, discrimination continues to occur.

A recently-concluded study revealed that female passengers, and passengers of color, were discriminated against by both Uber drivers and Lyft drivers. The study was conducted by MIT, Stanford, and the University of Washington. Data was collected over the span of nearly 1,500 rides.

Specifically, results from rides in Seattle indicate that, when compared to the results for white people, it took up to 28% longer for drivers to accept requests from riders of color. More than that, riders with "black-sounding names" in Boston experienced a cancellation rate twice as high as those with "white-sounding names," specifically when the passenger was male and requesting a ride in a "low-density area".

The study also found that women were often driven further than men, meaning that Uber and Lyft drivers, upon accepting the fare and picking up a woman, are less apt to take the shortest possible route to the destination. Considering this alongside reports from female researchers that drivers were extra talkative with them, the researchers suggest that female riders are exposed to profiteering and flirting.

I believe that, in order to continue making significant progress in providing affordable transportation for all, the best course of action is for each of you to revisit your company's process for approving drivers. I request that, before allowing drivers onto the road, you require of your drivers the completion of a company generated and led course on proper driver conduct.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Petition Signatures

Feb 5, 2018(Name not displayed)

Feb 4, 2018Rebecca Lambert

Jan 25, 2018Dawn Williams

Jan 24, 2018Maryanne Thompson

Jan 3, 2018sara Elkins

Dec 26, 2017(Name not displayed)

Dec 15, 2017Sandra Cobb

Dec 5, 2017DayLynn McDonald

Dec 2, 2017Stacey Govito

Nov 25, 2017John Moszyk

Nov 17, 2017Brian Gottejman

Nov 7, 2017Jodi Abel

Nov 7, 2017Terri Lynch

Nov 7, 2017Jacqueline Roberts

Oct 31, 2017Gwen Ghee

Oct 27, 2017Deborah Moore

Oct 17, 2017ARNOLD CABRALCall your Representative and your Senators contract the Veteran Affairs Committee passed a New Veteran Disabled Benefit Law who is collected 100 percent service connected should get the G4implants for free.

Oct 12, 2017(Name not displayed)

Oct 10, 2017mercy myers

Oct 9, 2017Mark Turner

Oct 3, 2017Anna Krohn

Sep 30, 2017Donna Delin

Sep 29, 2017(Name not displayed)This racism and misogyny is absolutely obscene! I will NEVER take a Uber ride unless this changes immediately!